VOCABULARY PREVIEW

Present Perfect vs. Present Tense

Present Perfect vs. Past Tense

Since / For

51

• Discussing Duration of Activity• Medical Symptoms and

Problems

• Career Advancement• Telling About Family

Members

1. astronaut2. cashier3. clerk4. computer programmer5. doctor /physician

6. guidance counselor7. guitarist8. journalist9. manager

10. musician

11. police officer12. president13. salesperson14. taxi driver15. vice president

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How Long?

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A. How long have you known* each other?

B. We’ve known each other for three years.

1. How long have Tom and Janet knowneach other?two years

2. How long have Mr. and Mrs. Garcia beenmarried?1995

A. How long have you been sick?

B. I’ve been sick since last Friday.

for

three hourstwo daysa weeka long time

•••

since

three o’clockyesterday afternoonlast week2000

•••

*know – knew – known

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3. How long have you had a stomachache? ten o’clock this morning

4. How long has Melanie had the measles?five days

5. How long has Ms. Bennett been aguidance counselor?nineteen years

6. How long have there been satellites inspace?1957

7. How long have you owned this car?three and a half years

8. How long has Bob owned his own house?1999

9. How long have you been interested inastronomy?many years

10. How long has Glen been interested inphotography?a long time

11. How long have you been here?1979

12. How long has your son had blue hair?a week

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A VERY DEDICATED DOCTOR

READING

Dr. Fernando’s waiting room is very full today. A lot of people are waiting tosee him, and they’re hoping that the doctor can help them. George’s neck hasbeen stiff for more than a week. Martha has had a bad headache sinceyesterday, and Lenny has felt dizzy since early this morning. Carol has had ahigh fever for two days, Bob’s knee has been swollen for three weeks, Bill’s armhas been black and blue since last weekend, and Tommy and Julie have hadlittle red spots all over their bodies for the past twenty-four hours.

Dr. Fernando has been in the office sinceearly this morning. He has already seen a lot ofpatients, and he will certainly see many morebefore the day is over. Dr. Fernando’s patientsdon’t know it, but he also isn’t feeling well. Hehas had a pain in his back since last Thursday,but he hasn’t taken any time to stay at home andrest. He has had a lot of patients this week, andhe’s a very dedicated doctor.

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Dr. Fernando’s patients are talking to him about their problems. Using this model, createdialogs based on the story.

READING CHECK-UP

CHOOSE

1. They’ve known each othersince _____.

a. 2000b. three years

2. I’ve been interested in astronomyfor _____.

a. last yearb. one year

3. She has been a doctor for _____.a. two years agob. two years

4. He has had a toothache since _____.a. yesterdayb. two days

5. We’ve been here for _____.a. one hourb. one o’clock

6. There have been two robberies in ourneighborhood since _____.

a. one monthb. last month

7. My grandparents have owned thishouse for _____.

a. a long timeb. many years ago

8. They’ve been in love since _____.a. last springb. three months

A. So how are you feeling today, George?B. Not very well, Dr. Fernando.A. What seems to be the problem?B. My neck is stiff.A. I see. Tell me, how long has your neck

been stiff?B. For more than a week.

CHOOSE

1. My right arm has been very _____.a. dizzyb. stiff

2. My son has a high _____.a. feverb. pain

3. Tell me, how long has your kneebeen _____?

a. nauseousb. swollen

4. Ted’s leg has been black and _____.a. blueb. red

5. Dr. Fernando, there are severalpatients in the _____.

a. past 24 hoursb. waiting room

6. Look! I have spots all over my _____!a. measlesb. body

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A. Do you know how to ski?

B. Yes. I’ve known how to ski since I was a little girl.

1. Does your sister Jennifer play the cello? since she was eight years old

2. Is your friend Michael a professionalmusician?since he graduated from music school

Since I Was a Little Girl

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A. Are you two engaged?

B. Yes. We’ve been engaged since we finished college.

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3. Do you have a personal computer?since I started high school

4. Are you interested in modern art?since I read about Picasso

5. Is Paul interested in Russian history?since he visited Moscow

6. Does Timmy know how to count to ten?since he was two years old

7. Do you like jazz?since I was a teenager

8. Do you own your own business?since I got out of the army

9. Do you know Mr. Wilson?since I was a little boy

10. Do you have termites?since we bought the house

11. Are you afraid of boats?since I saw “Titanic”

12. Do your children know about “the birdsand the bees”?*since they were nine years old

*the facts of life

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Have You Always Taught History?

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A. Have you always taught history?

B. No. I’ve taught history for the pastthree years. Before that, I taughtgeography.

1. Have you always liked classical music?the past five years

A. Has Victor always been a taxi driver?

B. No. He’s been a taxi driver since heimmigrated to this country. Before that,he was an engineer.an engineer

geography

jazz a cashier

3. Has Kimberly always had short hair?she started her new job

4. Has your son always wanted to bean astronaut?the past five or six years

long haira police officer

2. Has Carlos always been the store manager?last January

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Practice the conversations in this lesson again. React to information in different ways.

Oh. I didn’t realize that.

Reacting to Information

What is your present address? How long have you lived there?What was your last address? How long did you live there?

Who is the leader of your country? How long has he/she been the leader?Who was the last leader of your country? How long was he/she the leader?

Who is your English teacher now? How long has he/she been your teacher?Who was your last English teacher? How long was he/she your teacher?

5. Has Ron always spoken with a southernaccent?he moved to Georgia

6. Have you and your wife always had adog?the last six months

a New York accent a cat

7. Have you always drunk skim milk? I went on a diet

8. Has Carol always owned a sports car?she won the lottery

whole milk a bicycle

Oh. I didn’t know that. Oh. I wasn’t aware of that.

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A WONDERFUL FAMILY

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are very proud of theirfamily. Their daughter, Ruth, is a very successfulengineer. She has been an engineer since she finishedcollege. Her husband’s name is Pablo. They have beenhappily married for thirty-five years. Pablo is aprofessional guitarist. He has known how to play theguitar since he was four years old.

Ruth and Pablo have two children. Their son,David, is a computer programmer. He has beeninterested in computers since he was a teenager. Theirdaughter, Rita, is a physician. She has been aphysician since she finished medical school in 1997.

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson also have a son, Herbert.Herbert is single. He has been a bachelor all his life.He’s a famous journalist. They haven’t seen him sincehe moved to Singapore several years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. Patterson feel fortunate to have suchwonderful children and grandchildren. They’re veryproud of them.

READING

TRUE OR FALSE?

READING CHECK-UP

1. Ruth got married thirty-five years ago.2. Ruth’s husband is a professional violinist.3. Ruth and Pablo have two teenagers.4. The Pattersons’ grandson is interested in

computers.

5. Rita has been in medical school since 1997.6. Herbert has never been married.7. Herbert hasn’t seen his parents since they

moved to Singapore several years ago.

Listen to the conversation and choose the answer that is true.

LISTENING

1. a. She doesn’t have a backache now.b. She still has a backache.

2. a. His father is an engineer.b. His father isn’t an engineer.

3. a. Her knee isn’t swollen now.b. Her knee is still swollen.

4. a. He isn’t a teenager.b. He’s a teenager.

5. a. She has lived in Tokyo for five years.b. She lived in Tokyo for five years.

6. a. Roger lives in Cairo.b. Roger has lived in Cairo.

7. a. Amy went home two days ago.b. Amy hasn’t been home for two days.

8. a. He has lived in Toronto for three years.b. He lived in Toronto for three years.

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Louis is very successful. For the past six years, he has been the manager ofthe Big Value Supermarket on Grant Street. Louis has worked very hard toget where he is today. First, he was a clerk for two years. Then, he was acashier for three years. After that, he was an assistant manager for five years.Finally, six years ago, he became the manager of the store. Everybody at theBig Value Supermarket is very proud of Louis. He started at the bottom, andhe has worked his way up to the top.

READING

TRUE, FALSE, OR MAYBE?

Answer True, False, or Maybe (if theanswer isn’t in the story).

1. Louis started as a cashier at the BigValue Supermarket.

2. He has worked there for sixteen years.3. All employees at the Big Value

Supermarket start at the bottom.4. Kate has been the manager of the

Women’s Clothing Department in Dallasfor ten years.

5. The Women’s Clothing Department wason the bottom floor of the store.

6. Kate hasn’t been a vice president fortwo years.

READING CHECK-UP

Write a story about your English teacher.

How long have you known him/her?How long has he/she been an English teacher?What did he/she do before that? How long?

Where does he/she live?How long has he/she lived there?Has he/she lived anywhere else? Where?

How long?

Besides teaching English, what is your Englishteacher interested in?

How long has he/she been interested in that?

WORKING THEIR WAY UP TO THE TOP

Kate is very successful. For the past two years, she has been the presidentof the Marcy Company. Kate has worked very hard to get where she is today.She started her career at the Marcy Department Store in Dallas, Texas. First,she was a salesperson for three years. Then, she was the manager of theWomen’s Clothing Department for ten years. Then, she was the store managerfor eight years. After that, she moved to New York and became a vicepresident. Finally, two years ago, she became the president. Everybody at theMarcy Company is very proud of Kate. She started at the bottom, and she hasworked her way up to the top.

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A. George!

B. Tony! I can’t believe it’s you! I haven’t seen you in years.

A. That’s right, George. It’s been a long time. How have you been?

B. Fine. And how about YOU?

A. Everything’s fine with me, too.

B. Tell me, Tony, do you still live on Main Street?

A. No. I haven’t lived on Main Street for several years. I live on River Road now.And how about YOU? Do you still live on Central Avenue?

B. No. I haven’t lived on Central Avenue since 1995. I live on Park Boulevard now.

A. Tell me, George, are you still a barber?

B. No. I haven’t been a barber for several years. I’m a computer programmer now.And how about YOU? Are you still a painter?

A. No. I haven’t been a painter for a long time. I’m a carpenter now.

B. Tell me, Tony, do you still play the saxophone?

A. No. I haven’t played the saxophone for many years. And how about YOU? Do you still go fishing on Saturday mornings?

B. No. I haven’t gone fishing on Saturday mornings since I got married.

A. Well, George, I’m afraid I have to go now. We should get together soon.

B. Good idea, Tony. It’s been a long time.

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ROLE PLAY It’s Been a Long Time

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Pretend that it’s ten years from now. You’re walking along the street and suddenly youmeet a student who was in your English class. Try this conversation. Remember, youhaven’t seen this person for ten years.

63

A. !

B. ! I can’t believe it’s you! I haven’t seen you in years.

A. That’s right, . It’s been a long time. How have you been?

B. Fine. And how about YOU?

A. Everything’s fine with me, too.

B. Tell me, , do you still live on ?

A. No. I haven’t lived on (for/since) . I live on

now. And how about YOU? Do you still live on ?

B. No. I haven’t lived on (for/since) . I live on

now.

A. Tell me, , are you still (a/an) ?

B. No. I haven’t been (a/an) (for/since) . I’m (a/an)

now. And how about YOU? Are you still (a/an) ?

A. No. I haven’t been (a/an) (for/since) . I’m (a/an)

now.

B. Tell me, , do you still ?

A. No. I haven’t ____________ (for/since) . And how about YOU?

Do you still ?

B. No. I haven’t (for/since) .

A. Well, , I’m afraid I have to go now. We should get together soon.

B. Good idea, . It’s been a long time.

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PRONUNCIATION Reduced have & has

How long have you been sick?

How long has Ms. Bennett been a teacher?

Bob has been the manager for six months.

Listen. Then say it.

KEY VOCABULARY

guitaristjournalistmanagermusicianpainter

MEDICAL CARE

black and bluedizzydoctorfeverheadachemeasles

painpatientphysicianstiffstomachacheswollen

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CHAPTER SUMMARY

OCCUPATIONS

astronautbarbercarpentercashierclerkcomputer programmerdoctor / physicianengineerguidance counselor

Write in your journal about your activities and interests.What sport or musical instrument do you play? How longhave you known how to play it? Why do you like it? Whatother things are you interested in? How long have youbeen interested in those things? Why do you like them?

SINCE /FOR

three o’clock.yesterday afternoon.

since last week.2000.we were in high school.We’ve known each otherthree hours.two days.

for a week.a long time.

GRAMMAR

How long have you known each other?

How long has Mr. Perkins had a stomachache?

Kate has been the president for the past two years.

Say it. Then listen.

PRESENT PERFECT VS. PRESENT TENSE

I know how to ski.

I’ve known how to ski since I was a little girl.

PRESENT PERFECT VS. PAST TENSE

Victor was an engineer.

He’s been a taxi driver since he immigrated.

SUBJECTS

astronomygeographyhistorymusicphotography

police officerpresidentsalespersontaxi drivervice president

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The night shift

Late-night shopper at thesupermarket

Employees of these “24/7”companies have seen changes intheir work schedules in recentyears. About twenty percent ofemployees don’t work on atraditional “9 to 5” daytimeschedule anymore. Theircompanies have switched themto other shifts, such as 3:00 P.M.to 11:00 P.M., or 11:00 P.M. to7:00 A.M. In the past, manyfactory workers, doctors andnurses, police, firefighters, andothers had these shifts, but nowmany office workers have alsostarted to work during thesehours.

More and more companies around the world areoperating twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.Many of these companies do business with companies

in other time zones around the world. Other companies sellproducts to customers worldwide. In an age of instantcommunication by telephone, by fax, and over the Internet, manybusinesses must stay open all the time to serve their customers.International banks, computer companies, manufacturingcompanies, and businesses that sell their products over the WorldWide Web are examples of such companies.

Volume 3 Number 2

“24/7”24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week

Work schedules are changing all over the world

65

A sign of the times

Feature ArticleFact FileAround the WorldInterviewWe’ve Got Mail!

Global ExchangeListeningFun with IdiomsWhat Are They

Saying?

A typical night at the office

A coffee shop that never closesA health club that’s open 24 hours a day

Many local businesses haveadjusted their hours to serve theemployees of these companies.More and more supermarkets areopen 24 hours a day. Restaurantsand coffee shops close later andopen earlier. And businessessuch as photocopy centers, healthclubs, laundromats, and evensome child-care centers arealways open.

Describe the work schedules ofpeople you know. Are there any“24/7” businesses in your area?What’s your opinion about thesebusinesses and their employees’work schedules?

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Some jobs are unique. They exist only in certain countries.Unique Jobs

What unique jobs do you know? In what countries do these jobs exist?

a subway pusher in Japan a tulip farmer in Holland a reindeer herder in Siberia

a safari guide in Africa a coffee plantation workerin Colombia

a dog day-care worker inCalifornia

Mr. Souza, can you describe your typical day?

I get up at 5:30 A.M. I take a shower, eat breakfast, andmake my lunch. Sometimes I do some laundry before I goto work. I leave the house at 6:30 A.M.

Is anyone in your house awake when you leave?

No. Everyone is still asleep. I work from 7:00 A.M. until3:00 P.M. After work, I pick up my kids at theirgrandmother’s apartment. Usually we go food shoppingand then we go home to make dinner. My wife has alreadyleft for work. I play with the kids, we eat dinner, and then Iput the kids to bed. I’m normally asleep by 10:00 P.M.

And Mrs. Souza, what about your day?

The kids and I get up at 7:00. We eat breakfast, and then theyplay while I do some housework. Sometimes we go to the parkor we visit family or friends. Other times we go shopping. I takethe kids to my mother’s apartment at 2:00 P.M., and I’m at workby 3:00 P.M. I come home at 11:30 P.M. That’s my day!

It sounds exhausting! When do you have time to seeyour husband?

Sometimes he waits for me to come home, but usually he hasalready gone to bed. Believe it or not, we really see each otheronly on the weekends.

Mr. Souza, what’s the most difficult thing about yourwork schedule?

Communication. We leave each other notes and messages aboutbills, shopping, doctor’s appointments, and everything else.

And tell me, Mrs. Souza, is there anything good aboutthese work schedules?

Yes. The children are always with a parent or a grandparent.They don’t have to go to daycare, which is expensive. We knowthese schedules won’t last forever. When the children are bothin school, maybe we can each have a daytime job. I hope so!

Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Souzahave two children, ages twoand four. Mr. Souza worksthe day shift at amanufacturing company,and Mrs. Souza works atnight in an office. Theirlives are certainly busy!

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a. He’s funny.

b. He’s afraid.

c. She’s intelligent.

d. He’s nice.

e. He’s lazy.

f. She’s the boss.

____ 1. My new co-worker is a real peach.

____ 2. She’s the top banana in our company.

____ 3. He’s a real ham at office parties.

____ 4. He’s a couch potato.

____ 5. She’s a smart cookie.

____ 6. He wants to ask for a raise, but he’s chicken.

d

FACT FILE

Vacation Time in Different Countries

67

1

2

3

4

5

Office Voice Mail

written a note to Mrs. Wilson?

called Mr. Chen?

sent an e-mail about the meeting?

spoken to the custodian?

made a list of the employees?

given the list to Ms. Baxter?

taken the package to the post office?

Has Sam . . .

6

7

Yes NoEmployees in different countries have different amounts ofvacation time. What’s the typical amount of vacation timeemployees receive in different countries you know? How dopeople usually spend their vacation time?

He wants to askfor a raise, but

he’s chicken.

She’s a smart cookie.

He’s a real ham at office parties.

He’s a couchpotato.

She’s the top banana

in our company.

My new co-worker is

a real peach.

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Dear “Perfectly Happy,”The present perfect tense has always been

difficult for learners of English. We’ll try toexplain it to you with some examples.We use the present perfect tense to talk about:

• things that happened (or didn’t happen)sometime in the past, but the exact timeisn’t important. For example:

I have (I’ve) already seen that movie.*He has (He’s) never ridden a motorcycle.She hasn’t gone to the bank yet.

• things that happened many times in thepast. For example:

I have (I’ve) driven trucks for many years.We have (We’ve) eaten lunch there many times.

• things that happened in the past and arestill happening in the present. For example:

I have (I’ve) known them for two years.She has (She’s) been sick since last Thursday.They have (They’ve) lived here for a year.

It’s interesting how different languagesexpress time in different ways, and we canunderstand why this tense is difficult for you.In your languages, you might say:

✗ I live here since last year.✗ I am living here since last year.✗ I lived here since last year.

In English, these are all wrong. Sorry! The correct wayto say this is:

� I have (I’ve) lived here since last year.

This means “I lived here before, and I still live herenow.”

So that’s why we need the present perfect tense inEnglish. Thanks for your question, and good luck!

Sincerely,

Side by Side* If the exact time IS important, we use the past tense: “I saw a movie

yesterday.”

Tell a keypal about some things you’ve done recently.

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